As I've blogged about before, the MOPS theme this year is "Be you, Bravely.
In preparation for our first Neoga MOPS meeting this Thursday, I asked my leadership team to tell me the bravest thing they've ever done. Tough question, I know, because there are so many shades of bravery.
Brave is defined as, "ready to face and endure danger or pain; showing courage." What I find most compelling about this definition is that bravery is just the willingness to face the fear, it has nothing to do with the outcome or follow through. It's what Glennon Melton from Momastery.com calls "showing up".
Bravery might be showing up every day to a job you dislike because you need the income. Bravery doesn't make you like the job any more; bravery gives you the wherewithal to do what needs to be done.
Brave is hearing the word cancer for the second time and still showing up for your treatments, even though you know exactly what you're in for.
Brave is holding your child's hand through that scary doctor's appointment he is dreading, even though you're dreading it, too.
Brave is hopping in the car with the kids and setting off for a secret adventure.
Brave is reading out loud to your kids even though you aren't a strong reader and you are afraid you'll mess up.
Brave is dropping your child off at a babysitter's house for the first time so you can have some space to work on yourself or your marriage.
Any of these scenarios could end in hurt, heartache, loss, disappointment, or vulnerability. But the brave among us are willing to take a risk for even the slight hope that something awesome might happen.
Brave is not reserved just for the biggest and strongest. Someone climbing a mountain is no more brave than someone initiating a difficult conversation with their elderly parent.
There are so many more than 50 shades of brave. And maybe if we began to recognize those shades in our lives and the lives of others we might be more compassionate towards people different from ourselves. Like that mom at school pick up that's still in her pjs. Or the guy at work that keeps to himself. Or the neighbor with an opposing candidate's yard sign on his lawn.
What is the bravest thing you've ever done?
What's the bravest thing you've done today?
In my life: Being with my Mom (by choice), when the doctor told her she had cancer. But more so, when I told her she was hospice appropriate after the doctor copped out. He had told me, 3 months if you're lucky, probably 2. He told her, "I've seen people live years with this".
ReplyDeleteToday: Going out shopping with my husband. Still having problems with my digestive system.